Traders slam roadworks

Traders claim roadworks on Milngavie’s Glasgow Road are having a terrible impact on their businesses.

The sales director of Kelvin Timber on Main Street says sales have plummeted since the work, by Barr Construction for the new Waitrose store, began and the owner of Milngavie Minimarket on Strathblane Road has also raised concerns.

A section of Glasgow Road, between Main Street and Burnbrae roundabout, closed on Monday, February 16. It was due to re-open this Sunday (March 29) but has been delayed until Thursday, April 2.

Mr Singh (pictured), owner of Milngavie Minimarket, said: “Why did the council let them close the road for six weeks?

“They should have been told to do the work at night.”

Kelvin Timber sales director Richard McHugh said: “Footfall has been down as a result of the roadworks.

“Customers find it difficult to get here, a five minute drive now takes 45 minutes.

“Our sales are down by 28 per cent on this time last year.”

However, the council says the work could not be carried out at night because it was too noisy for residents and there’s a proven increased risk to workers with carrying out roadworks at night, even with floodlighting.

Grace Irvine, director of neighbourhood services, said: “East Dunbartonshire Council is sympathetic to residents and business owners whenever they are affected by roadworks and developments. Every effort is made to keep these to a minimum.”

Barr Construction said substantial work has been carried out, including the installation of new public utilities and a new sewer connection.

They have also improved footpaths, installed a new pedestrian crossing and re-aligned the road to create a new two lane approach to the roundabout.

A spokesperson said: “While we very much regret any ongoing disruption, we have teams working extremely hard and are confident that the project will be completed by early next week.”